I lost so far...looks like the survey is definatley leaning toward outdoor climbs. I think it is great that is was broke down into all the categories to see exactly how everyone climbs too. I do think there is always a flaw...I voted indoor...but also climb sport too. I am sure that there are lots more like that too. But I liked this idea for a survey. hasta

I agree that most of the gyms out there right now are dark and kinda lame. May have a ton of great routes...but I think they "look" really bad. I have plans for a totally different kinda gym that I think would be the envy of any climber. Just need to figure out a way to finance teh whole think. But I think It could be very attractive. Tahnx for your views;)

I don't think it's that Ice Climbing and Alpine Climbing are unpopular, but more either the geographic factors and the economic factors. Living in British Columbia (that's in Canada- the part with the mountains-, for the globally challenged) I have excellent Ice and Alpine routes all over the place, with unbelievable first ascent opportunities, but already the thought of paying $160+ for climbing shoes turns my stomach, and my rack consists of four quick draws, so you can imagine, $400+ for boots, $300 for crampons, $500 for a set of ice axes, a dry rope (or two after I undoubtedly chop through the first), $50 each for ice screws, as well as all the various techno-warmth clothing, or for alpine the complete trad rack (probably not a lot of fixed pro up there) runs pretty steep. Ice and Alpine are a sport for the rich, or atleast the financially secure and out of school.

Not to mention that the sheer thought of climbing up frozen water makes me very uneasy.

I really like outdoor better for a number of factors. 1) It doesn't smell like chalk dust. 2) You never have to wait for the birthday party to get off your wall so you can work on your project. 3) The holds don't develop that grease that is enough chalk not to evaporate, but enough sweat to make the hold quite slick. 4) You don't have the holds right there. You have to search. It becomes as much mental as it does physical. 5) There's always gonna be those punk 15 year old kids at the gym who hike 5.12's in runners, but look at you like you have three heads when you refer to "placing a nut" or "the flake broke of in my hand" or "rappelled off a tree.". (In extreme cases they'll ask what that discolouration on your skin is, and will be quite shocked when you explain that it is due to prolonged exposure to the sun. "What is this 'sun' you speak of?")

hehe, or vice versa, I have a friend who (when we were younger and foolish) did his first 5.10a outside. When we went to the gym later that week he was talking about the whole 'you can climb 2 grades harder inside' thing and jumped on a 5.12a! He didn't even get of the ground. It took him a while to realize that 2 grades up from 5.10a was only 5.10c, and it turns out that he didn't do the 5.10 outside he was just on a 5.10a. Hehe, good times.

Traverse the gym wall and make to the roof, to climb across the roof, still does not give you the feeling of looking over the tree tops at sky. Then looking down only to see pro for 70-100+ ft below to your partner who may be sitting on a ledge strapped to the wall. Then you reach the top where you have lunch only to get to rap down and go home.

one of these routes per day= so much more than the gym.

I do admit..... the gyms are good for those rainy days, quick workouts(when the closest climb is 2+ hrs away), when you have a big group where the majority are new to climbing or just toprope, when you meet someone and would like to see how they climb before you drag your gear to the rock..........

OH YEA!!! if you want to pratice falling on lead.... Gyms rope=better than mine.....

well that's my feelings on indoor/outdoor and yes I do gym climb 1-2 times a week, I also climb outside most every weekend both Sat ans Sun.

i jsut looked this afternoon...after over 400 entries on this topic...i am glad to see the indoor gyms have just edged all other areas....i mean just...but glad to see that there is a wide variety of people out there climbing in every area...as many of you will agree...we all climb a couple of the different categories...i myself could vote for at least 2 differnt ones...but only did on one. see ya on the rocks (or plastic:)

Outdoor because: -The view -fresh air -longer routes -more options for holds -less restricting -I sit in a grey little cubicle all day long everyday and I need to get outside before my head falls off. -Trad

Gyms have their place as a training tool, but climbing was meant to be done on real rock, with real dirt and real danger. not man-made bastardizations of nature.